August, 2009
Issue: 202
NEXT GENERAL MEETING – August 21, 2009
Tom Lison from Milwaukee PC will discuss computer maintenance as well as some
things about Windows 7 with us. He will also handle questions at the end.
REPORTS:
GENERAL MEETING by Gladys Schwandt
Because John Ross was not available to talk to us about the 2009 Consumer
Electronic Show, a Question and Answer session was held. An inquiry
pertaining to the upcoming move from Windows XP and Vista to Windows 7 provided
some insight on the expected changes. It is expected that in the next 2-3
years both XP and Vista may not be supported by Microsoft. A Google search
of Windows 7 will evaluate if your PC can accept the changes available October
22 (beta version available to some users now) and will allow the upgrade on your
machine. The new software will require more gigabytes than current programs and
it will be necessary to do a compatibility check to see if printers and other
peripherals will function properly. If your computer is older than 3
years, it may be wise to continue with what you have and not upgrade right away.
There was a question about security issues and it was advised that users access
the srnet-fox valley website and check “help” option for free programs.
GENEALOGY SIG by Mary Klein
In July we used keywords in doing Google searches and then fine tuned the
searches with the use of capital AND, quotation marks, and the wildcard command
* . In August we will continue fine-tuning our searches using the
commands: OR, the piping symbol, NOT, the plus sign, and the tilde. We
will also look at online collections of digitized local and family history
books.
RESOURCE SHARING SIG by Linda Young
Is MICROSOFT Internet Explorer 7 better than version 8? The recommendation
is to stay with version 7. We spent some time discussing how to make
“coupons” for payments on loans. We were reminded that Microsoft will work
for people with handicaps. Because the newsletter will be discontinued as
we now know it, we were taught how to make an icon for the desktop that will
link us to the SeniorNet website in order to read the newsletter there.
Discussion then turned to Speech Recognition Software. Vista includes such
software with its system. You have to train the computer to recognize your
voice. It will then type what you say, or open programs etc. We
discussed many features of the new Windows 7 Operating System which Microsoft is
expected to have available in October of this year. Also, we discussed the fact
it is necessary to make sure the software and hardware (drivers for your printer
etc.) you are now using are compatible with the new Windows 7 Operating System
if you are considering upgrading.
OTHER NEWS by Gladys Schwandt
Senior Computer Users Group classes to be held in Neenah beginning August 26 are now
scheduled. If you are on a stand-by list you will be notified; if you are
interested in attending, please contact Judy Williams for details at
920-735-4864.
Kerm McGinnis and Marv Schimmelpfenning advised that future newsletters will be
available on the website and postal mailings will only be made to members who do
not have computer access. Members can access the newsletter by
keying www.srnet-foxvalley.org.
TECH TIP:
Marv Schimmelpfenning gave us instructions to put an icon on our desktop so that
we can just click on that icon and be taken directly to our website and the
newsletter. The instructions are as follows:
Instructions for creating a desktop icon:
1. Open up a website (URL) for which you want to make the desktop
shortcut.
2. Highlight the URL in the address bar, then press CTRL + C to copy it.
3. Minimize that window, and go back to the desktop.
4. In an open area of the desktop, do a right click.
5. In the drop down menu that appears, left click on the word New and then
a left click on Shortcut.
6. In the shortcut window, press CTRL + V to paste the URL address from
No. 2. Click Next.
7. Type in a Name for this URL site, click on Finish.
8. The URL icon should now appear on the desktop.
To change the Icon for this URL:
1. Right click on the icon and choose Properties,
2. Then click on Change Icon.
3. In the C:Windows\system32\ folder click on Browse, scroll to find the file
shell32.dll.
4. Double click on it to open up a number of different icons, choose a new icon
that you like.
5. Left click on it to highlight it, choose OK to apply.
6. Click OK again and it should appear on the desktop.
7. Back at the desktop now double click the new icon, to test the icon to see if
it works.
Enjoy your new shortcut.
INFORMATION:
All you wonderfully talented people! Please share you expertise with the
group by volunteering for one of many jobs we need to have done. Surely
you can help us! Judy Williams has particulars.
For starters—Is anyone good at writing Thank You cards to our guest speakers?
We need you.
SCANNER/PHOTO by Linda Young
Jerry Sobiesczyk kicked off instructions for an Image Software Program that will
be continued for several months using many of the tools in Adobe Elements. The
final result will be a total item - picture.
INTERNET by Linda Young
As you may have already heard, in an effort to reduce expenses, the newsletter
will no longer be mailed out. It will be, as it always has been, available at
our website at www.srnet-foxvalley.org
.
WAUSHARA SIGs
No Report
JULY MAILING CREW – Barb Johnson
SENIOR COMPUTER USERS GROUP SPONSOR - FVTC